Introduction to Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are a type of ceramic tile that has been prized for its durability and aesthetic appeal for centuries. With a rich history dating back to ancient China, porcelain tiles have evolved to become a popular choice for flooring and wall decoration in modern homes and buildings. Made from a combination of natural materials such as kaolin, feldspar, and quartz, porcelain tiles are known for their timeless elegance and versatility. Whether used in traditional or contemporary designs, porcelain tiles can add a touch of sophistication and style to any space.
In 2024, Chinese Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles Will Only Be 8.5mm Thick!
Will this affect the quality of ceramic tiles?
From the traditional concept of ceramic tile selection, the thicker the ceramic tiles, the better, and they are strong and durable. However, in recent years, ceramic tiles have become thinner and thinner, from 13 or 14mm a few years ago to 9, 10mm or even 8.5mm now. At the same time, the saying that some ceramic companies have cut corners and saved costs by thinning ceramic tiles, resulting in worse and worse quality, is prevalent in the industry. Additionally, the use of sustainable materials is becoming more prevalent in the production of ceramic tiles to meet modern consumer demands.
1. The Thickness of Chinese Ceramic Tiles Has Become Thinner
Currently, the thickness of mainstream ceramic tiles on the market, such as 800×800mm, 600×1200mm, and 750×1500mm, is generally 10mm and 9mm. Due to the intensified market competition, ceramic enterprises have been reported to have achieved a thickness of about 8.5mm since last year.
The trend of large format tiles is significantly influencing the market, adding complexity to DIY projects and often requiring professional assistance for proper installation. Technological advancements in the ceramic tile industry have made large format tiles a key trend.
Many users on the Internet have expressed their opinions on the thinning of ceramic tiles:
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“A 9mm piece is 40kg, and a 10mm piece is 45kg. 40kg is the result of the manufacturer’s cost savings, and it is likely to reduce the difference in the embryo body!”
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“When the material is the same, it is better to be thicker. The flatness of thin is generally not as good as that of thick. The main purpose of making thin is to reduce costs, and generally also reduce the material. Do you believe it when it is said to respond to the call?”
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“Big brands have already made 9mm, whether it is 800, 612 or 715. Now only second- and third-tier brands are sticking to 10mm. In general, bricks are not as heavy as before. In the past, 47, 48, and 49 kg were very normal. Normal, now 44, 45, or even 42. Especially the cutting of corners in ceramic tiles is more serious.”
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“The current thickness of ceramic tiles is generally about 10mm. It is normal to be a little higher or lower. Some brands even make it thinner. It is impossible to reduce the price without reducing the quality.”
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“9mm thickness cannot meet the double zero standard, and the wear resistance index does not meet the standard!”
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“The thinning of ceramic tiles is the thinning of the body. The glaze layer remains unchanged, and the strength and hardness will not change. This is a response to the national call for energy conservation and emission reduction, and the trend of development towards lightness, firmness, durability, and personalization.”
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“The thinner the tile, the better, but the thicker it is good.”
Consumers do not understand professional ceramic tile knowledge, and can only distinguish the quality by appearance such as thickness, flatness, and glaze. Therefore, there will be “thicker tiles are better, two tiles stacked seamlessly are better…” and other remarks. These remarks have also been recognized by many users.
In the past two years, ceramic companies have been making more and more efforts to reduce the thickness of tiles. The thickness of the tiles has become thinner and the weight has dropped a lot. At the same time, there have been endless complaints about the quality of tiles in the market, and the price war has become more and more fierce, which has led many ceramic people to believe that the thinning of tiles is to reduce costs and quality and to cut corners, which is one of the main reasons for the worsening quality of tiles.
It is worth mentioning that there is still a situation of mismatch between thickness and board in the market. Many consumers have complained online that the weight and thickness of the tiles they bought are inconsistent with the actual weight, “the weight is 48 kg, but it is only 41.5 kg, the thickness is 1.1, but it is 0.9”, “the thickness in the quality inspection report is 10 mm, but the actual thickness of the tile is only 8 mm”, etc.
2. The Main Reason for the Thinning of Chinese Tiles in the Ceramics Industry
First, the country actively promotes the thinning of ceramic tile bodies, reduces industry energy consumption and emissions, and achieves high-quality development; second, the industry is under great pressure from internal competition, and production and operation costs continue to rise. To maintain profits, ceramic companies need to reduce production costs and improve efficiency through energy conservation and consumption reduction to gain greater market advantages. Various Co., Ltd companies are adapting to these changes to maintain their market position.
The thinning and reduction of the ceramic industry has always been the mainstream direction. Thin tiles transfer heat quickly and evenly, which can reduce the firing temperature and shorten the cycle, reduce the emission of harmful substances in the flue gas, and reduce energy consumption. It is not only conducive to the cost reduction and efficiency increase of ceramic companies but also in line with the green development requirements of energy conservation and emission reduction. Therefore, relevant regulations and standards are also being continuously promoted, actively prompting companies to reduce the thickness of tiles and save resources.
In addition to official requirements, associations and experts in the ceramic industry are also actively promoting the thinning of tiles, and even propose strict restrictions on the thickness of tiles, such as floor tiles. The thickness should not exceed 9mm. They believe that too thick ceramic tiles will cause a waste of resources and are not conducive to the country’s resource protection; limiting the thickness of tiles can also reduce energy consumption and production costs, and eliminate the production capacity of most backward processes.
At present, China’s national standards are relatively loose in terms of the thickness of ceramic tiles. The newly revised national standard “Ceramic Tiles” (GB/T 4100-2015) in 2015 stipulates the thickness of ceramic tiles as follows:
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S≤3600cm² (600mm×600mm), thickness not exceeding 10mm;
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3600cm² (600mm×600mm)＜S≤6400cm² (800mm×800mm), thickness not exceeding 11mm;
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S＞6400cm² (800mm×800mm), thickness not exceeding 13.5mm.
Porcelain Tile Manufacturing Process
The porcelain tile manufacturing process involves several intricate steps that require precision and attention to detail. The process begins with the selection of high-quality raw materials, which are then mixed and ground into a fine powder. The powder is then mixed with water to create a slip, which is poured into molds or pressed into shapes using hydraulic presses. The green, unfired tiles are then dried and fired at high temperatures to create a vitrified structure. Some porcelain tiles may also undergo additional processes such as glazing or polishing to enhance their appearance and durability.
Benefits of Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles offer a range of benefits that make them a popular choice for flooring and wall decoration. One of the main advantages of porcelain tiles is their durability and resistance to wear and tear. They are also easy to maintain and clean, making them a practical choice for high-traffic areas and busy households. Additionally, porcelain tiles are available in a wide range of styles and designs, from classic and traditional to modern and contemporary. They can also be used to create a variety of looks, from sleek and minimalist to ornate and decorative. With their timeless elegance and versatility, porcelain tiles are a great choice for anyone looking to add style and sophistication to their home or building.
3. Controversy over the Thickness of Ceramic Tiles in the Chinese Market
In the ceramic tile market, there is a lot of controversy over the thinning of ceramic tiles. The mainstream view is that thinning is a good thing for both enterprises and industries. It not only meets the national green development requirements of energy conservation and emission reduction but also improves the production technology level of ceramic enterprises and saves costs for ceramic enterprises. Some opponents believe that thinning is a means for ceramic companies to cut corners, and reduce quality and quantity, and environmental protection and energy saving are just excuses. The mandatory limitation of tile thickness will lead to a decline in product quality in the entire industry, which is not conducive to the development of the industry.
Bathroom tiles are a significant part of the design trends for 2024, emphasizing their versatility in styles and materials.
So, will the thinning of tiles affect the quality of tiles?
There is no direct relationship between tile quality and thickness, but thinning does change the characteristics of tiles, such as the breaking strength (modulus of rupture). Relevant data show that the fracture mode of floor tiles with a thickness of about 9mm is basically above 40mpa, exceeding the 35mpa specified by the national standard, which can fully meet the needs of general household scenes.
In addition, the thinning of tiles is the thinning of the body, not the thinning of the glaze. The glaze and surface process will not change, and the thinning of the body will not affect the quality of the tiles.
Conclusion
From the perspective of process technology, if ceramic companies want to achieve the goal of thinning tiles without reducing or even improving quality, it involves the upgrading of production equipment, optimizing process flow, and improving the quality management system. The pressure is not small and a certain cost needs to be invested. This sets a threshold for ceramic companies, which can eliminate some backward production capacity.
It is undeniable that there are some ceramic companies in the industry whose thinning technology is immature or has “evil intentions” and reduces the quality of thin tiles. But overall, most ceramic companies’ tile thinning technology and product quality can be guaranteed.
Tile thinning can save resources, reduce production and logistics costs, save energy, and reduce emissions. It is the general trend of the ceramic industry. What we should resist should not be the thinning of tiles, but those who cut corners and use inferior products in the name of thinness.
In addition, bathroom accessories complement ceramic tiles to create cohesive and stylish bathroom designs.